Job 30:31 — Word Study
WLCוַיְהִ֣י לְ֭אֵבֶל כִּנֹּרִ֑י וְ֝עֻגָבִ֗י לְק֣וֹל בֹּכִֽים׃
BSAMy harpkinnôwr [lyre] is tunedhâyâh▸ to mourningʼêbel [lamenting, sorrow] and my fluteʻûwgâb [pipe, reed-pipe] to the soundqôwl [voice, noise] of weepingbâkâh [crying, shedding tears]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיְהִ֣י | and it has become | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| לְ֭אֵבֶל | mourning | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| כִּנֹּרִ֑י | harp my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| וְ֝עֻגָבִ֗י | and flute my | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| לְק֣וֹל | [the] sound of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בֹּכִֽים׃ | weepers | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping. |
| KJV | My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. |
| ASV | Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep. |
| YLT | And my harp doth become mourning, And my organ the sound of weeping. |
| WEB | Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who weep. |
| BBE | And my music has been turned to sorrow, and the sound of my pipe into the noise of weeping. |
The translations agree on the essence of Job's lament, particularly regarding the emotional tone conveyed through the musical instruments.
The verse contains two main clauses connected by a conjunction, highlighting the duality of Job's musical expression of grief.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbהָיָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Job 30:31
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Job's Lamentgenerated
Job 30:31 reveals Job's profound sorrow as he compares his music to his mourning. He feels isolated and desolate, using the imagery of his harp and flute to express the depth of his grief. This passage is part of a larger section where Job laments his suffering and the loss of his former dignity, as seen in the preceding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 137:1–4 | By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 3:4 | a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, |
| 3 | Isaiah 21:4 | My heart falters; fear makes me tremble. The twilight of my desire has turned to horror. |
| 4 | Isaiah 22:12 | On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping and wailing, for shaven heads and the wearing of sackcloth. |
| 5 | Isaiah 24:7–9 | The new wine dries up, the vine withers. All the merrymakers now groan. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — אֵבֶל, Le.'e.velgenerated
The noun אֵבֶל (ebel) means mourning, particularly in the context of grief for the dead. It encompasses various aspects of mourning, including rites, mourning attire, and the period associated with mourning. The word is derived from a root meaning lamentation.
In this verse, Job's harp is described as being tuned to mourning, indicating that his music is now a reflection of his sorrow. This connection emphasizes how deeply his emotional state influences his expression through music.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse consists of two main clauses linked by the conjunction וְ (and). The first clause describes the tuning of the harp, while the second clause relates to the flute and its association with weeping.
The order places emphasis on Job's harp first, suggesting that his primary expression of sorrow comes through this instrument, followed by the flute, which complements the theme of mourning.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the Hebrew אֵבֶל is translated as πάθος (pathos), which denotes suffering or passion. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of Job's emotional state, emphasizing the depth of his grief.
The translation of בֹּכִים as κλαυθμός (klauthmos) in the LXX captures the essence of weeping, further underscoring the sorrowful tone of the passage.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Job 30:31 shows Job expressing his sorrow through music. He describes how his harp is now tuned to mourning and his flute to the sound of weeping, reflecting his deep emotional pain.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Job is indicating that his music, which once brought joy, now reflects his deep sorrow and grief.
The harp and flute symbolize different aspects of his emotional expression; the harp for deep sorrow and the flute for the sound of weeping.
This verse encapsulates Job's feelings of despair and loss, illustrating how his external circumstances have affected his inner life.
Job's use of music to express his sorrow shows the importance of acknowledging and articulating our emotions, especially in times of suffering.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways do I express my own grief or sorrow?
- How can music or art help in processing difficult emotions?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between our emotions and our expressions?
- How can I support others who are mourning or grieving?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Gregory the Dialogist comments on this verse, interpreting it as a reflection of the harmonious preaching of the Church, using Job's musical instruments as a metaphor for lamentation.
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. The 'harp' and 'organ' denote the harmonious preaching of Holy Church,Early Church Fathers on Job 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Job 30:31 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy harp also is [turned] to mourning,.... Which he used, as David, either in religious worship, expressing praise to God thereby, or for his recreation in an innocent way; but now it was laid aside,
Read John Gill on Job 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep. Organ - rather, pipe (Job 21:12): "My joy is turned into the voice of weeping" (Lamentations 5:15).
Read Robert Jamieson on Job 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleEither, 1. I have now nothing but bitter lamentations instead of my former expressions of joy. Or, 2. Those very things which formerly were occasions and instruments of my delight, do now renew and aggravate my sorrows.
Read Matthew Poole on Job 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJob 30:31 My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.Ver. 31. My harp also is turned to mourning] All the days of the afflicted are evil, Proverbs 15:15, his harps are hanged up, his lute no longer fit but for melancholy airs; his song nothing but lachrymae, doleful ditties; his organs, all those instruments that were wont to divert him, are condemned either to sigh or to be silent. Intempestiva est in luctu Musica /RAPC Sir 22:6, ουναβλακωκυτοισινουλυραφιλα (Sophocl.). Gillimer, overcome and besieged by Belisarius, sent to request of him three things: 1. A loaf, to ease his hunger. 2. A harp, to ease his grief. 3. A sponge, to dry up his tears. Such…
Read John Trapp on Job 30 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(31) My harp also is turned to mourning.—Or, Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of them that weep. The musical instruments here named, like those of Gen 4:21, are respectively the stringed and wind instruments.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Job 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 31. My harp also is turned to mourning] Instead of the harp, my only music is my own plaintive cries. And my organ] What the עגב uggab was, we know not; it was most probably some sort of pipe or wind instrument. His harp, כנור kinnor, and his pipe, עגב uggab, were equally mute, or only used for mournful ditties. THIS chapter is full of the most painful and pathetic sorrow; but nevertheless tempered with a calmness and humiliation of spirit, which did not appear in Job's lamentations previously to the time in which he had that remarkable revelation mentioned in the nineteenth chapter. Job 19:25 After he was assured that his Redeemer was the living God, he submitted to his…
Read AdamClarke on Job 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges31. The joyous music of his former life is turned into wailing. The “organ” is the pipe, ch. Job 21:12; comp. Lamentations 5:15.
Read Cambridge on Job 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleMy harp also is turned to mourning - What formerly gave cheerful sounds, now gives only notes of plaintiveness and lamentation. The harp was probably an instrument originally designed to give sounds of joy.
Read Albert Barnes on Job 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.
Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.
My harp is tuned to mourning and my flute to the sound of weeping.
My harp is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping.
Tyndale line
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, And my pipe into the voice of them that weep.
Therefore is my harp turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of them that weep.
My harp also is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of them that weep.
Therefore mine harpe is turned to mourning, and mine organs into the voyce of them that weepe.
Strictly literal
My harp also is [turned] to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of weepers.
And my harp doth become mourning, And my organ the sound of weeping.
And my harp becomes mourning, || And my pipe the sound of weeping.”
And thus is changed to mourning my harp, and my pipe to the sound of weeping.
Therefore my harp is tuned for songs of mourning, my flute for the singing of those who wail.
From the Latin
My harp is turned to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.
Simplified
My lyre only plays sad songs, and my pipe is the voice of those who weep.
And my music has been turned to sorrow, and the sound of my pipe into the noise of weeping.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads וַיְהִ֣י לְ֭אֵבֶל כִּנֹּרִ֑י וְ֝עֻגָבִ֗י לְק֣וֹל בֹּכִֽים׃, while the Septuagint matches five of the six words, indicating a strong agreement in the core elements of the verse, though the word order differs.
וַיְהִ֣י לְ֭אֵבֶל כִּנֹּרִ֑י וְ֝עֻגָבִ֗י לְק֣וֹל בֹּכִֽים׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Job 30:31
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word הָיָה (hayah) is a primitive root meaning to exist or become, and it encompasses a range of meanings including to happen, occur, and come to pass. It is often used in narrative contexts, particularly in phrases like "and it came to pass." The word can also denote a state of being or existence, and it appears frequently in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
הָיָה 3570 vb. fall out, come to pass, become, be
Qal
Fall out, happen
occur, take place, come about, come to pass
esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass
וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
Come into being, become
abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
sq. prep.
become
sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
sq. pred. adj.
become like
sq. pred. לְ pers.
sq. לְ pred.
oft. c. לְ pred. לְ pers.
with עַל and לְ
sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming)
exist, be in existence
abide, remain, continue
with word of locality, be in or at a place, be situated, stand, lie
as copula, joining subj. & pred.
H1961 הָיָה fall out, come to pass, become, be .. . . Fall out, happen
. occur, take place, come about, come to pass
. esp. & very oft., come about, come to pass . . וַיְהִי and it came to pass that, most often (c. 292 t.)
. rarely also Pf. c. וְ conj. וְהָיָה
. less oft. וְהָיָה Pf. consec. and it shall come to pass, or frequentat. came to pass (repeatedly, etc.)
. Come into being, become . . abs., in lively narrative, arise, appear, come
. sq. prep.
. become . sq. pred. noun (to be viewed as implicit accus.)
. sq. pred. adj.
. become like
. sq. pred. + לְ pers.
. sq. לְ pred.
. oft. c. לְ pred. + לְ pers.
. with עַל and לְ
. sts. c. לְ pers. only = became the property of, come into the possession of
. Be (often with subbordinate idea of becoming) . exist, be in existence
. abide, remain, continue
1961 hayah haw-yaw
a primitive root (compare 1933); to exist, i.e. be or become,
come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or
auxiliary):--beacon, X altogether, be(-come), accomplished,
committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint,
fall, + follow, happen, X have, last, pertain, quit
(one-)self, require, X use.
see HEBREW for 01933
הָיָה (ha.yah) — to be.
1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) ---
1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass
1a1b) to come about, come to pass
1a2) to come into being, become
1a2a) to arise, appear, come
1a2b) to become
1a2b1) to become
1a2b2) to become like
1a2b3) to be instituted, be established
1a3) to be
1a3a) to exist, be in existence
1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time)
1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality)
1a3d) to accompany, be with
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about
1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
be-kum':
(1) Greek ginomai, used in New Testament for a change of state, corresponding to Hebrew hayah of Old Testament. Compare Mt 18:3 with De 27:9.
(2) For what is fitting, suitable, proper, in New Testament: "prepei" (Mt 3:15; Eph 5:3; 1Ti 2:10); in Old Testament, na'awah, na'ah, Ps 93:5: "Holiness becometh thy house." in this sense, the adverb "becomingly" must be interpreted: "Walk becomingly toward them that are without" (1Th 4:12), i.e. in a way that is consistent with your profession.
אֵ֫בֶל (ebel) means mourning, particularly in the context of grief for the dead. It encompasses various aspects of mourning, including rites, mourning attire, and the period associated with mourning. The word is derived from a root meaning lamentation.
אֵ֫בֶל n.m. mourning
base
H60 אֵ֫בֶל mourning
60 'ebel ay'-bel
from 56; lamentation:--mourning.
see HEBREW for 056
אֵ֫בֶל (e.vel) — mourning.
1) mourning
1a) for the dead
1b) for rites of mourning (metaph)
1c) mourning garb
1d) period of mourning
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHR/Ncmsa
morn'-ing.
See BURIAL; GRIEF.
One marked feature of Oriental mourning is what may be called its studies publicity and the careful observance of the prescribed ceremonies. (Genesis 23:2; Job 1:20; 2:12) Among the particular forms observed the following may be mentioned: (a) Rending the clothes. (Genesis 37:29,34; 44:13) etc. (b) Dressing in sackcloth. (Genesis 37:34; 2 Samuel 3:31; 21:10) etc. (c) Ashes, dust or earth sprinkled on the person. (2 Samuel 13:19; 15:32) etc. (d) Black or sad-colored garments. (2 Samuel 14:2;
The Hebrews, at the death of their friends and relations, made striking demonstrations of grief and mourning. They wept, tore their clothes, smote their breasts, threw dust upon their heads, Jos 7:6, and lay upon the ground, went barefooted, pulled their hair and beards, or cut them, Ezr 9:3 Isa 15:2, and made incisions on their breasts, or tore them with their nails, Le 19:28 21:5 Jer 16:6 48:37. The time of mourning was commonly seven days, 1Sa 31:11-13; but it was lengthened or shortened according to circumstances,
כִּנּוֹר (kinnor) refers to a lyre or harp, derived from a root meaning to twang. The term is consistently used across lexicons to denote this stringed musical instrument.
כִּנּוֹר n.m. lyre
base
H3658 כִּנּוֹר lyre
3658 kinnowr kin-nore'
from a unused root meaning to twang; a harp: -harp.
כִּנּוֹר (kin.nor) — lyre.
lyre, harp
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
עוּגָב (uwgab) refers to a musical instrument, likely a reed instrument such as a flute or panpipes. It is derived from a root meaning 'breathing' and is associated with the sound produced by wind instruments. The entries consistently identify it as a type of pipe used in music.
עוּגָב n.m. a musical instr.
base
H5748 עוּגָב a musical instr.
5748 `uwgab oo-gawb'
or buggab {oog-gawb'}; from 5689 in the original sense of
breathing; a reed-instrument of music:--organ.
see HEBREW for 05689
עוּגָב (u.gav) — pipe.
1) a musical instrument
1a) perhaps a flute, reed-pipe, or panpipes
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHC/Ncmsc/Sp1bs
קוֹל (qol) primarily means 'voice' or 'sound,' encompassing various contexts such as music, noise, and even thunder. It can also denote lightness or frivolity. The word is built from a root meaning to call aloud and appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament, including a reference in Jeremiah 3:9.
ref
H6963a קוֹל sound, voice H6963b קֹל lightness, frivolity
6963 qowl kole
or qol {kole}; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a
voice or sound:--+ aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out),
fame, lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim,
proclamation, + sing, sound, + spark, thunder(-ing), voice, +
yell.
קוֹל (qol) — voice.
: voice/shout/loud
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קֹל (qol) — frivolity.
lightness, frivolity
קוֹל (qol) — voice: sound.
: sound/noise
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: thunder.
: thunder
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: message.
: message/proclaim
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: [sound of].
: [sound_of](THING)
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
קוֹל (qol) — voice: listen.
: listen
1) voice, sound, noise
1a) voice
1b) sound (of instrument)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בָּכָה (bakah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to weep or bewail. It encompasses various forms of weeping, including expressions of grief, humiliation, or joy, and can denote lamentation or crying bitterly. The entries highlight its use in both the Qal and Piel stems, indicating different nuances of weeping.
בָּכָה 114 vb. weep, bewail
Qal
weep
weep bitterly
weep upon
bewail
in sense of burden, annoy with weeping
of penitent weeping
Pi. lament; bewail
base
H1058 בָּכָה weep, bewail
1058 bakah baw-kaw'
a primitive root; to weep; generally to bemoan:--X at all,
bewail, complain, make lamentation, X more, mourn, X sore, X
with tears, weep.
בָּכָה (ba.khah) — to weep.
1) to weep, bewail, cry, shed tears
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to weep (in grief, humiliation, or joy)
1a2) to weep bitterly (with cognate acc.)
1a3) to weep upon (embrace and weep)
1a4) to bewail
1b) (Piel) participle
1b1) lamenting
1b2) bewailing
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVqrmpa